To spank or not to spank? TODAY anchors discuss disciplining kids

(TODAY) A recent New York court ruling that called spanking a “reasonable use of force” has stirred debate among parents over the still widely used form of household discipline.

It also brought forth admissions Tuesday from TODAY anchors that, in rare instances, they’ve taken a hand to their own kids.

“A couple of times, maybe two times, I have spanked my children,” Natalie Morales said. Each occasion stemmed from “extreme cases of, I thought my kids were going to run out in front of a car, or other things they were not supposed to do that scared the life out of me.”

Al Roker, who has three children, said: “I’ve probably spanked each one maybe twice.”